Proverbs 23:2

2 Put a knife to your throat, If you are a man given to appetite.

Proverbs 23:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:2

And put a knife to thy throat
Refrain from too much talk at the table; give not too loose to thy tongue, but bridle it, considering in whose presence thou art; do not use too much freedom, either with the ruler or fellow guests; which, when persons have ate and drank well, they are too apt to do, and sometimes say things offensive to one or the other; it is good for a man to be upon his guard; see ( Ecclesiastes 5:2 ) . Or restrain thine appetite; deny thyself of some things agreeable, that would lead thee to what might be hurtful, at least if indulged to excess: put as it were a knife unto thine appetite, and mortify it; which is the same as cutting off a right hand, or plucking out a right eye ( Matthew 5:29 Matthew 5:30 ) . Or while thou art at such a table, at such a sumptuous entertainment, consider thyself as in danger, as if thou hadst a knife at thy throat; and shouldest thou be too free with the food or liquor, it would be as it were cutting thine own throat; if thou [be] a man given to appetite;
there is then the more danger; and therefore such a person should be doubly on his guard, since he is in the way of temptation to that he is naturally inclined to. Or, "if thou art master of appetite" F18: so the Targum,

``if thou art master of thy soul;''
if thou hast power over it, and the command of it, and canst restrain it with ease; to which agrees the Vulgate Latin version: but the former sense is more agreeable to the Hebrew idiom.
FOOTNOTES:

F18 (vpn leb) "dominus animae", Vatablus, Mercerus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 23:2 In-Context

1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before you;
2 Put a knife to your throat, If you are a man given to appetite.
3 Don't be desirous of his dainties, Seeing they are deceitful food.
4 Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint
5 Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.